East football star Sean Adams remembered as 'gentle giant'

At 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds, Sean Adams was a big guy even by football standards. But those who coached and played with him remember a young man with a heart that was even bigger.

Adams, a highly regarded Class of 2019 offensive line prospect at East, died Friday. He had undergone a recent knee operation and began experiencing breathing difficulties before being rushed to the hospital. He subsequently passed a blood clot and died.

"Sean was a giant, but he was the kindest person at heart," said Jesse Brookins, who played alongside Adams on the offensive line at East and is now at Central Missouri.

"He never meant any harm to anybody. As hard (as) I was on him on the field when he first got to East, it was for a reason. He had a dog in him, and somebody had to get it out. ... We all know what kind of person he was on the field, but Sean was just an awesome person."

On the field, Adams was pretty awesome as well. He was one of Memphis' top prospects in next year's senior class and was ranked 32nd in the state according to the most recent 247 Sports composite rankings. Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Missouri and Austin Peay had already extended offers, and more surely would have followed.

Byron Harris, who coached Adams at Bellevue Middle School and remained close to him and his family, said he was proud of the development Adams was making.

"He never had an attitude," Harris said. "Just a sweet young man. I saw him come from a soft football player to a dominating offensive lineman. He was a great kid and a gentle giant.

"I just called his mom (last Thursday) to see how his knee surgery went and she told me he was doing great. And then I get a call from her (Friday) saying he was gone. My heart is broken."

Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas.